‘Aida’ settles into its clarity and power at San Francisco Opera

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The two lovers, Aida and Radames, are finally together during Act lll of a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Conductor Nicola Luisotti, looks up at the audience before Act lll begins at the final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

In the war room at the palace, Ramfis, the High Priest, played by Raymond Aceto, second from left, is on his way to inform the Egyptian King of the name of the general who has been chosen to lead the Egyptians against the Ethiopians during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames, a captain of the guard, played by Brian Jagde, speaks with one of his soldiers as they perform at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames hopes to be chosen to lead the Egyptians against the Ethiopians as Amneris looks on during Act l of the final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Radames is played by Brian Jagde and Amneris is played by Ekaterina Semenchuk. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames, played by Brian Jagde, hopes to be chosen to lead the Egyptians against the Ethiopians during Act l of the final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

A messenger for Egypt, played by Pene Pati, brings word of the Ethiopian invasion during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Ramfis attacks the messenger, played by Pene Pati, as he brings word of the Ethiopian invasion while The King of Egypt played by Anthony Reed, right, looks on at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames, left, is chosen as the commander by the King of Egypt, played by Anthony Reed, right, during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Radames is played by Brian Jagde. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Aida, played by Leah Crocetto, comes to the realization that her love Radames will be fighting on the opposite side as her father during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Soldiers perform during a final dress rehearsal in Act l of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Rachel Little performs as the solo dancer during a dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Ramfis, played by Raymond Aceto, gives Radames, played by Brian Jagde, the sacred sword of Egypt as they perform during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's Aida at the
War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco,Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Aida is distraught as she realizes Amneris, who loves the same man as she does, is in control of her fate as they perform at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Leah Crocetto plays Aida and Ekaterina Semenchuk plays Amneris. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

A soldier sings with the rest of the chorus as they perform at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Soldiers perform with Rachel Little during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Aida, played by Leah Crocetto, right, is currently enslaved to the Egyptian princess Amneris, played by Ekaterina Semenchuk, left, as they perform at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Rachel Little plays the color dancer as she performs with soldiers at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Aida is reunited with her father, Egypt's worst enemy, King Amonasro, played by George Gagnidze, when he is brought in with other Ethiopian prisoners as they perform at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Leah Crocetto plays Aida. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Ethiopian prisoners wait to find out what the future holds after Egypt wins the war during Act ll of a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Aida played by Leah Crocetto and Radames played by Brian Jagde profess their love for one another as they speak of fleeing the country during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

The Egyptian troops led by Radames, right, have won the war during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Rachel Little is a dancer at left and Radames is played by Brian Jagde.. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames and Amneris celebrate Egypt's victory over Ethiopia with their soldiers and citizens in Act ll at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Radames, the captain of Egypt's army is played by Brian Jagde and Amneris, the King of Egypt's daughter, is played by Ekaterina Semenchuk. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Radames and Amneris celebrate Egypt's victory over Ethiopia as they perform in Act ll at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Radames, the captain of Egypt's army is played by Brian Jagde and Amneris, the King of Egypt's daughter, is played by Ekaterina Semenchuk. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

Amneris, torn between love and hatred for Radames, tries to save him during Act lll of a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

King Amonasro, played by George Gagnidze, pleads with his daughter Aida, played by Leah Crocetto, to side with her county instead of her true love at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

King Amonasro, played by George Gagnidze, pleads with his daughter Aida, played by Leah Crocetto, to side with her county instead of her true love at a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

In Act lV, Scene 2, Radames finds himself in the darkness of a tomb after being sentenced to death for his betrayal to his country during a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Brian Jagde plays Radames. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

The two lovers, Aida and Radames, wait for the angel of death in the tomb during Act lll of a final dress rehearsal of Verdi's, "Aida" at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2015. Aida is played by Leah Crocetto and Radames is played by Brian Jagde. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group)

With its teeming crowd scenes and massive set pieces, it’s easy to forget that “Aida” is about four individuals struggling to meet the demands of duty and desire. The new San Francisco Opera production gets it right – although it takes a while to make it clear.

This revival of Verdi’s 1871 melodrama, which opened Saturday evening at the War Memorial Opera House, doesn’t measure up to some of the company’s past triumphs (since 1925, San Francisco Opera has given 116 performances of “Aida.”) Hazy dramaturgy, with an odd mix of glitz and grittiness, often blunts the impact of Francesca Zambello’s contemporary staging.

Yet, when the production comes into focus, as it did midway through Saturday evening, the new production yields a number of arresting episodes. Music director Nicola Luisotti led the orchestra in a fervent performance, and the singing often registered with potency.

This “Aida,” a co-production with Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera and Minnesota Opera, proves most successful when delineating the plot’s conflicting strains of betrayal and loyalty: Aida’s love for her native Ethiopia vs. her passion for the Egyptian officer Radames; the rivalry between Aida and the Egyptian princess Amneris, who is certain that Radames must be hers.

More problematic are the political machinations propelling the opera. For the most part, Zambello’s setting hews to the contemporary vision, although it’s often unclear exactly when or where the action is taking place. Designs by the visual artist RETNA suggest the marriage of ancient hieroglyphics and street art without specificity.

Act I opens in a cold, concrete war room, with Egyptian military men conferring over a row of tables (sets are by Michael Yeargan, with lighting by Mark McCullough.)

The second half, which strips away some of the excess, feels more cohesive. Aida sings “O patria mia” against a dark blue nighttime sky. Amneris, positioned downstage, watches in anguish as Radames is condemned atop a tall platform. Act IV moves swiftly, although there’s a weird intrusion in the awkward Tomb scene.

The strong cast weathered the transitions. Soprano Leah Crocetto, singing her first Aida, signaled her readiness in the Act I aria “Ritorna vincitor,” delivered with rich tone and supple phrasing. Crocetto gave a moving account of the aria “Oh, patria mia,” and she deployed her resonant, beautifully colored instrument in the opera’s duets and ensembles.

Brian Jagde, also making an impressive role debut, was her Radames. The tenor sounded firm and muscular in the Act I aria, “Celeste Aida,” and his performance grew increasingly ardent and expressive as the evening progressed.

Still, the evening’s top honors went to mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk, whose performance as Amneris was simply riveting. Semenchuk’s Act III scene was a tour de force, her pointed phrasing and penetrating tone making you believe that she was motivated by love, not just jealousy.

Baritone George Gagnidze was a virile, forceful presence as Aida’s father, Amonasro, and bass Raymond Aceto gave a solid performance as the priest, Ramfis. Bass Anthony Reed sang with robust clarity as the King of Egypt. Pene Pati’s Messenger and Toni Marie Palmertree’s Priestess made fine contributions. A strong chorus is essential to any “Aida,” and Ian Robertson’s Opera Chorus sang heroically.

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